The contraceptive implant has been used in countries around the world for many years, but was introduced to Canada in 2020. It’s a small, flexible plastic rod that gets inserted just below the skin and slowly releases a small amount of progestin hormone.

This prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg cell each month (ovulation) and also thickens the mucus in the cervix (lower part of the uterus), which makes it harder for sperm cells to reach the egg cell in the uterus. A healthcare provider performs a small procedure to place the implant in your arm – it takes just a few minutes! The implant is then effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years.